Laiwu's Zhang Xuyi, older brother of the Circuit Intendant Zhang Daoyi, possessed a bold and unrestrained nature.

Hearing that a certain mansion in the county town was occupied by a fox spirit, Zhang prepared a calling card and went to pay a visit. He slipped the card through the door crack, and after a short while, the main door opened by itself. His retainers and servants were all astonished and promptly retreated. Zhang Xuyi straightened his robes and entered, finding the main hall fully furnished with tables and chairs, yet utterly silent and empty. He immediately bowed and announced, "This humble student has come in fasting and observance; since the immortal has opened the door to welcome guests, why not show yourself?"

Suddenly, a voice spoke from within the hall: "We are deeply honored by the young master's visit. Please be seated." As soon as the words fell, two chairs slowly moved and settled opposite each other. Just as Zhang Xuyi was taking his seat, a red tray floated down from mid-air, holding two teacups, and hovered before him. Zhang Xuyi reached out, took the fragrant tea from the tray, and sipped lightly. From the seat opposite, the sound of tea-drinking was heard, a faint xi-xi sound, yet no figure was visible.

After finishing the tea, a pot of wine flew down from the void. As Zhang Xuyi drank, he inquired about the host's origins. A voice replied from the opposite chair, saying, "My surname is Hu, and I am the fourth born. My subordinates call me Xianggong (Master)." Host and guest drank heartily, discussing current affairs; their spirits blended, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Old tortoise and venison, rare delicacies, were served in streams upon the table. Listening to the dense footfalls within the room, though no figures could be seen, one could guess from the feeling that there was no small number of servants attending nearby.

After the feast, Zhang Xuyi thought, "How wonderful it would be to have a cup of tea right now." As the thought crossed his mind, tea was already set on the table. Every desire he harbored was fulfilled immediately and perfectly. Zhang Xuyi was delighted, drank his fill, and returned home thoroughly intoxicated. From then on, he visited Mister Hu every three or four days, and Mister Hu often stopped by the Zhang residence. The guests and hosts exchanged visits with impeccable etiquette.

One day, Zhang Xuyi asked Hu the Fourth, "The witch in the South City relies on the Fox Immortal's help daily to treat people's illnesses and profit from it. Do you know the Fox Immortal at her house?" Hu the Fourth replied, "The witch is lying; there is no Fox Immortal at her home at all." Not long after, Zhang Xuyi rose to relieve himself, when suddenly a small voice whispered close to his ear, "I just heard about the witch in the South City; I wonder who she is. This humble one wishes to ask the gentleman for a favor: to take me to her house to take a look, if possible."

Zhang Xuyi knew this must be the fox servant. He nodded and said, "Agreed." Returning to the seats, he told Hu the Fourth, "I wish to request a servant from the Master to investigate the South City thoroughly. I hope you can grant this." Hu the Fourth said, "There is no need for that." Zhang Xuyi begged repeatedly, and the Master, left with no choice, finally consented.

Subsequently, Zhang Xuyi went out to take his leave. His horse came on its own—that was the fox servant secretly leading it. He mounted and rode off. Halfway there, the fox servant said, "From now on, if the gentleman notices fine sand scattered on his lapel during his travels, that means this humble one is nearby, ready to be summoned at any time." As he spoke, the horse entered the city and arrived at the witch's house. The witch, startled to see Mister Zhang, laughed, "What brings such a distinguished guest?"

Zhang Xuyi said, "I hear your Fox Half-Immortal is extremely efficacious. Is this true?" The witch said sternly, "Young master, you must not speak nonsense. Can one casually utter the words 'Fox Half-Immortal'? Be careful that Sister Hua hears and becomes displeased." Before she finished speaking, half a blue brick flew from the void and struck her arm squarely. The old creature staggered, looking as if she would fall, and cried out, "Why did the young master strike this old body?"

Zhang Xuyi laughed, "The old woman is blind. I have been standing by watching the whole time; you injured your own forehead, yet you blame me?" The witch was bewildered and didn't know how to respond. While she was in a daze, another pebble flew down, hitting her again. The witch tumbled to the ground, and dust and dirt scattered everywhere, landing entirely on her cheeks. In an instant, the witch's face turned pitch black, hideous as a ghost. She could only lie prostrate on the ground, wailing and begging for mercy.

Zhang Xuyi told the fox servant, "Spare her this once." The dust then ceased. The witch scrambled to her feet in haste and rushed into her room, closing the door, daring not to come out. Zhang Xuyi called from outside the door, "Old thing, who is more powerful, your Fox Immortal or mine?" The witch was already terrified and kept offering apologies. Zhang Xuyi looked up at the sky and said, "Brother Fox, stop harming her now."

Hearing this, the witch emerged trembling. Zhang Xuyi comforted her with gentle words, then returned home.

From then on, whenever Zhang Xuyi traveled, if he saw fine sand falling, he would call out for the fox servant to talk, and it always proved effective. With the Fox Immortal accompanying him, Zhang Xuyi feared nothing; bandits and brigands fled at the mere rumor, daring not to bully him. A year passed this way, and Zhang Xuyi and Hu the Fourth became inseparable friends. Sometimes, when asked his age, Hu would reply, "I don't quite remember. I personally experienced the time when Huang Chao revolted. Sometimes, recalling those days, it feels as distant as yesterday."

One evening, the two were talking late by candlelight when they suddenly heard a rustling sound from the top of the wall, a sharp and mournful noise. Zhang Xuyi was greatly startled and asked, "What is that disturbance?" Hu the Fourth replied, "That must be my elder brother coming." Zhang Xuyi asked, "Why not invite him inside for a chat?" Hu the Fourth said, "No need. His cultivation is shallow; he hasn't yet achieved human form. His only hobby is to snatch chickens everywhere and feast upon them." Zhang Xuyi chuckled, "Foxes loving chickens is naturally ordained. Brother Zhang, our friendship is deep, yet not knowing a friend's appearance is a lifelong regret for me." Hu the Fourth said, "Friendship values knowing the heart; why must we insist on meeting?"

One day, Hu the Fourth hosted a banquet inviting Mister Zhang, saying, "I am leaving. This meal is a farewell." Zhang Xuyi asked, "Where are you going?" Hu the Fourth replied, "I am originally from Shaanxi and am now preparing to return home. Since Brother Zhang has always wished to see my true appearance, so be it. Then we shall recognize each other in the future." Zhang Xuyi looked all around, seeing nothing, and asked, "Brother Hu, have you revealed yourself? Why can't I see you?"

Hu the Fourth said, "Try pushing open the door to the sleeping chamber; I am right behind the door." Zhang Xuyi obeyed and opened the door, only to see a graceful, handsome youth walk out of the room. They looked at each other and smiled. Impeccably dressed, with features like a painting, he vanished in the blink of an eye. Zhang Xuyi turned back to leave, with footsteps following behind him, saying, "Having met today, Brother Zhang's wish is fulfilled; from now on, you should have no regrets."

Zhang Xuyi was reluctant to part, but Hu the Fourth said, "Separation and reunion are fated; do not dwell on it." As he spoke, he set out fine wine, and the two drank together with massive cups until midnight. Hu the Fourth sent Mister Zhang home with a gauze lantern. The next morning, Zhang Xuyi went to the residence to visit, but the place was empty. Hu the Fourth had vanished without a trace.

Later, Zhang Daoyi was promoted to Circuit Intendant of Xichuan, while Zhang Xuyi remained as poor as before. He traveled to Shanxi to visit his relatives, hoping for support from his younger brother. A month later, he returned disappointed. Traveling back alone on his horse, sighing and looking dejected, he was suddenly overtaken by a youth riding a dark-brown horse, riding swiftly from behind. Mister Zhang turned to look; seeing the youth clad in a fur coat and possessing an elegant demeanor, he immediately began conversing with him.

The youth said, "Young master looks displeased; what is the reason?" Zhang Xuyi replied, "I am completely destitute. I traveled a thousand li to rely on my brother, hoping he would help his elder brother. Who knew that human feelings are cold and the world is heartless. Alas, best not to mention it." The youth comforted him with gentle words. They traveled about a li together until they reached a fork in the road. The youth bowed in farewell, saying, "Ahead on the road, there is a person entrusted by an old acquaintance to deliver some gifts to the gentleman. I hope you will accept them graciously."

Just as Zhang Xuyi was about to inquire for details, the youth had already spurred his horse and departed, leaving Zhang Xuyi full of doubt. He rode another two or three li and saw an old servant standing by the roadside, holding a small bamboo box, which he presented before the horse, saying, "Master Hu the Fourth commanded me to deliver this item to the gentleman." Zhang Xuyi suddenly realized. He opened the bamboo box and peered inside; the light shining out was dazzling—it was a box full of silver ingots. When he looked up again, the old servant had vanished at some unknown moment.